Rakuten wesentlich besser als Rocket

- und daher habe ich mir nach dem Einstieg bei Alibaba, die inzwischem mehr als 20% gut gemacht haben, auch einige Rakutens gekauft.

Look Out Amazon, Here Comes...Rakuten?
Japanese e-commerce firm Rakuten announced on Tuesday it is acquiring Ebates for $1 billion.

The acquisition, which Rakuten hinted at last week, is part of the Japanese company’s push to grow its base beyond its domestic market and hopefully, become a global player. Having made some $1.2 billion acquisitions to date along these lines, this is Rakuten’s most ambitious move to date.

However, investors are dubious that the company can absorb yet another foreign acquisition, much less one the size of Ebates, despite Rakuten’s strong cash position.
Then there is the ever-present Amazon, which dominates the e-commerce market in the U.S. Few believe it will falter in the face of Chinese giant Alibaba, much less a Rakuten-Ebates combo.

Rakuten Goes Forth

Not surprisingly, Rakuten says it is undaunted. For starters, it has assembled a very interesting mix of acquisitions. There is messaging app Viber, which it purchased for $900 million in February, the Canadian ebook offering Kobo, Spanish video service Wuaki.tv, Viki, a digital content platform and Buy.com.
Now it has picked up Ebates.

www.forbes.com/sites/erikamorphy/2014/09/...ere-comes-rakuten/

January also welcomed Rakuten Mobile’s launch of Rakuten AI for Business, a practical generative AI platform designed to help companies, big and small, leverage the latest AI tech.

The tools are browser-based, easy to use, and tuned for Japanese business, offering support for drafting documents, translation, analyzing in-house data and more, with built-in safeguards to keep sensitive data protected.

Rakuten Mobile is empowering Japanese businesses with accessible AI.
The platform leverages the real-world expertise gleaned from Rakuten’s own internal usage of advanced AI tools in sales, operations, and marketing, providing pre-made templates to help businesses hit the ground running.

The goal is to make AI accessible for businesses of any size, unlocking new potential at an affordable price point. The platform leverages the real-world expertise gleaned from Rakuten’s own internal usage of advanced AI tools in sales, operations, and marketing, providing pre-made templates to help businesses hit the ground running.

rakuten.today/blog/...kuten-mobile-nine-major-milestones.html

45% of Alphabet’s $3 Billion Hidden Portfolio Is in Just 2 White-Hot Stocks

Rich Duprey
Fri, December 26, 2025

A lesser-known aspect is Alphabet also directly invests in public companies through its venture arms GV and CapitalG. This portfolio held 38 stocks at the end of the third quarter with assets under management of about $2.5 billion and spanning sectors like healthcare, artificial intelligence (AI), and technology.

Yet there is one sector where Alphabet has placed its biggest bets: space. According to McKinsey, the space sector is projected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035, so it's not surprising Alphabet is attempting to cash in on the explosive growth expected. What's notable about Alphabet's space investments is that it has concentrated its focus on just two stocks, which comprise 45% of the portfolio's AUM at current valuations.

AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ:ASTS) and Planet Labs (NYSE:PL) stand out as the largest positions in the portfolio, so let's see whether they warrant an investment from you, too.

AST SpaceMobile builds a space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by standard smartphones. Alphabet participated in a $155 million strategic investment round in early 2024 alongside AT&T (NYSE:T) and Vodafone (NASDAQ:VOD), supporting the company's satellite constellation development.

Google collaborates on product development, testing, and implementation for network connectivity on Android devices. In the first quarter of 2025, Alphabet added 8.9 million shares valued at approximately $203 million. Today, those shares are worth almost $700 million and represent the portfolio's largest holding, or 23.3% of the total.

AST achieved a key milestone on Wednesday with the successful launch and orbital deployment of BlueBird 6, the largest commercial communications array in low Earth orbit. This validates its technology for direct-to-device connectivity.

finance.yahoo.com/news/...bet-3-billion-hidden-155528071.html

In addition, Rakuten Bank is currently holding the "Strongest Bonus Festival Ever" for a limited time until Saturday, February 28, 2026, where Rakuten Bank will offer the largest amount of benefits ever for opening an account and using the service. If you apply for a Rakuten Bank account and a Rakuten Securities account at the same time (customers who already have a Rakuten Bank account can apply for a Rakuten Securities account from the Rakuten Bank website) and meet the conditions such as "Money Bridge" registration, you will receive up to 5,000 yen.

"Money Bridge" is an account linkage service between Rakuten Bank and Rakuten Securities, and anyone with both accounts can apply for free. Once the setting is completed, Rakuten Bank's savings deposit interest rate will be preferential, and you can use the sweep function that automatically deposits and withdrawals between your bank account and your securities account, making asset management more convenient and cost-effective. Since the launch of the service in 2011, it has been used by many customers, and the number of users has steadily expanded, with the number of accounts set up exceeding 6 million in September 2025. As we enter a world with interest rates, we have decided to make this change in order to provide customers of both companies with the opportunity to manage their assets more efficiently than ever before.

Rakuten Bank and Rakuten Securities will continue to strongly support customers' asset formation through the "Money Bridge" and other collaborative services between the two companies. By providing services that are both convenient and economical, we aim to be close to each customer's life plan and make financial services more accessible.

www.rakuten-bank.co.jp/press/2025/20251225.html

I
According to McKinsey, the space sector is projected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035, so it's not surprising Alphabet is attempting to cash in on the explosive growth expected.

finance.yahoo.com/news/...bet-3-billion-hidden-155528071.html

10/15/2025 12:25

Mizuho Financial Group Inc (MFG, Financial) holds a strategic 15% stake in Rakuten's credit card segment, valued at $1.1 billion.

Rakuten is considering a U.S. IPO for its credit card operations, highlighting a trend among Japanese firms exploring international markets.

Mizuho (MFG) has a vested interest in Rakuten's credit card segment, owning a 15% stake, which was acquired for $1.1 billion. Currently, Rakuten is exploring a possible U.S. IPO for its credit card operations, although these plans are still in preliminary discussions. An alternative strategy under consideration is selling a stake to a strategic partner. This reflects a broader trend of Japanese companies evaluating international market opportunities.

Source: GuruFocus News

Agentic AI in Action: How AI, ML & Automation Are Transforming Network Operations - Featuring Axiata

12.12.2025

Agentic AI is redefining how telcos operate. Rakuten Symphony and Axiata leaders explore how AI, machine learning, and automation are driving autonomous networks, improving efficiency, and enabling intelligent, goal-directed decision-making across APAC.

Speakers:
Ahmed Saady Yaamin – Group Head of AI and Analytics, Axiata
Vivek Murthy – Executive Officer and President, OSS BU, Rakuten Symphony

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-DvlDr-Vjg&t=31s

Full year 2025 EBITDA expected to exceed JPY 400 billion

i0.wp.com/rakuten.today/wp-content/...rnings-EBITDA.png?ssl=1

Obwohl die Franzosen mit dem, was sie unter dem Baum entdecken, zufrieden sind, ziehen sie es manchmal vor, weiterzuverkaufen und ihr Geschenk eine zweite Chance zu geben, wenn es so ist:
Sie mögen nicht: 44 %
ist für sie nicht nützlich: 42 %
Doppelt: 22 %

Für manche ist es eine Gelegenheit, das zu kaufen, was sie mit dem gesammelten Geld wirklich zufrieden macht: 21 % (+6 Punkte gegenüber 2024).

Außerdem würden 71 % der Franzosen positiv oder neutral reagieren, wenn einer ihrer Angehörigen ein von ihnen gegebenes Geschenk weiterverkauft. Eine Praxis, die heute weithin akzeptiert ist: Warum sollte man sich also davon berauben?

1 von 2 Franzosen hat bereits ein Geschenk gemacht, das sie selbst bekommen haben, oder haben schon darüber nachgedacht, und 1 von 4 hat es bereits getan!

Im Durchschnitt sagen Franzosen, die ihre Geschenke zu Weihnachten 2024 weiterverkauft haben, fast 100 € zurückgewonnen zu haben. Dieser Betrag kann für manche sogar 300 € übersteigen!

Methodik
Die Rakuten – Ipsos bva-Studie wurde mit einer nationalen Stichprobe von 1500 Personen durchgeführt, die die französische Bevölkerung ab 16 Jahren repräsentieren, sowie mit 100 Nicht-Lebensmittelhändlern (0 bis 9 Mitarbeiter). Die Umfrage wurde im September 2025 online durchgeführt.

global.fr.shopping.rakuten.com/actualites/...re-2025-a-11h30/

Rakuten Pay vs PayPay: Battle of the Apps

In the ever-evolving landscape of mobile payment apps in Japan, Rakuten Pay and PayPay stand out as two major players. While both have their merits, let’s explore why Rakuten Pay emerges as the preferred choice for MobalPay users.

Rakuten Pay vs PayPay? Only one winner for MobalPay users!

In the face of this comparison, Rakuten Pay emerges as the favored choice, providing users with unparalleled convenience, flexibility, and rewards. While PayPay has its merits, Rakuten Pay’s commitment to user-friendly practices, inclusivity, and seamless integration with MobalPay positions it as the superior option for those seeking a robust mobile payment experience in Japan.

www.mobalpay.com/blog/rakuten-pay-vs-paypay/

How to succeed in overseas research? Explanation of points to accurately capture the voices of local residents

2025.12.09

In today's increasingly globalized world, expanding into overseas markets has become an important growth strategy for many companies. In Japan, quantitative research has become accessible to overseas consumers on the Internet, just as Internet research has become mainstream.

However, when we actually conduct overseas surveys, many companies face challenges such as "it cost more than expected", "we did not get the data we expected", and "we overlooked cultural differences".

In this article, we will introduce the points to keep in mind when conducting Internet research overseas and explain in detail how to achieve effective overseas research.

As will be explained later, Rakuten Insight leverages the Rakuten Group's extensive overseas expansion experience and AI technology to provide "Internet research" services in overseas markets as well. If you are interested in overseas research, please click here.

insight.rakuten.co.jp/knowledge/column/column023/

My Rakuten Experience: Yuichi

2 weeks ago

As a Manager in the New Business Development Department at LinkShare Japan K.K. (LinkShare), I oversee sales activities for prospective clients. My responsibilities encompass the complete sales lifecycle, from developing sales strategies, targeting new clients, securing and conducting initial business meetings, delivering presentations, concluding contracts, preparing for operations, and launching services.

New business development goes beyond selling products; it fundamentally involves deep understanding of client challenges and proposing effective solutions. While the moment an order is placed brings great joy, the true fulfillment extends beyond that. I feel a strong sense of purpose as a salesperson when a campaign goes live, and yields positive results, that make clients glad to have they entrusted us. Furthermore, when my team members secure deals and achieve results, I feel a sense of pride that surpasses my own accomplishments.

I aim to launch and accelerate the growth of new businesses within LinkShare. I believe that the market for B2B sales support will grow significantly in the future, and my goal is to challenge myself to create innovative businesses that leverage Rakuten’s assets. While planning new businesses is a fresh challenge for me, I am actively exploring new initiatives by proactively utilizing cutting-edge technologies like AI and continuously learning. Surrounded by many inspiring colleagues who serve as role models, I am dedicated to a daily routine of learning and challenging myself.

rakuten.today/people-culture/my-rakuten-experience-yuichi.html

Together with a small cross-functional team, we boldly ventured into uncharted territory. We continuously learned through trial and error, steadily building the technical and operational foundations necessary to train world-class LLMs. Witnessing both the product and the team grow from initial uncertainties into a high-performing, self-sufficient AI capability has been incredibly fulfilling. This process of exploration and growth itself has been a great joy for me.

Attractions and Charms of Working at Rakuten
For me, the greatest attraction of working at Rakuten is the convergence of its business scale, future outlook, and individual ownership. Rakuten’s environment is truly unique -I can engage in innovative technologies such as LLMs and cutting-edge AI infrastructure, while having the autonomy to consistently lead from strategy formulation to execution.

Because of Rakuten’s diverse businesses, such as e-commerce, fintech, mobile, and digital content, our work in AI has the potential to bring significant impact across the entire organization and create value across various business domains. Knowing that our efforts contribute not only to Rakuten’s growth but also to innovation in Japanese society as a whole keeps me highly motivated.

All of this is possible because Rakuten’s corporate culture encourages experimentation, promotes continuous learning, and values collaboration with talented and motivated colleagues, which allows individuals and ideas to flourish.

Innovation
One of the projects I was involved in that had a particularly significant impact was the development of a semantic search model (*). This project started with no existing foundation, and we built everything from scratch. Through close collaboration between engineers and the business team, we successfully developed a scalable, AI-driven search solution that more deeply understands user intent.

Currently, this innovative solution has been implemented by over 10 business clients and has contributed to an increase in Gross Merchandise Sales (GMS) exceeding 1 billion JPY annually. It brings me a huge sense of accomplishment to see how our AI solution has driven both improved user experience and concrete business value on a large scale. I believe this project demonstrates Rakuten’s commitment to leveraging technology for real-world impact.

Lifestyle
I don’t strictly separate my work and private life. For me, personal learning and research are an indispensable part of my lifestyle, and they are closely intertwined with my work. I genuinely enjoy learning new technologies and reading insightful articles, and this curiosity is always a source of inspiration that I feel is actively utilized in my work.

Additionally, I often have casual discussions with colleagues outside of business hours. These are not necessarily about specific work tasks but are opportunities to exchange ideas, challenge each other’s thinking, and grow together. This collaborative culture supports both my professional growth and personal fulfillment.

AI Utilization
One of the important ongoing initiatives is the utilization of AI for operational efficiency. Specifically, we are advancing a project to automate repetitive and time-consuming tasks, such as AI training job log analysis and fault triage, using LLMs. We are currently developing a prototype, which is designed to identify potential root causes and suggest next steps using the model’s output. This will significantly streamline tasks that engineers previously debugged manually.

Although it is still under development, the initial results are very promising. We are confident that this initiative will not only contribute to a significant improvement in operational productivity and a reduction in downtime but will also serve as a powerful use case to promote broader AI adoption within Rakuten. We are driving innovation by actively applying AI in not only to product development but also to daily operational processes, thereby enhancing the productivity of the entire team.

rakuten.today/people-culture/my-rakuten-experience-connie.html

Viber launches AI feature that automatically summarizes links

Viber becomes first messaging platform to offer AI-powered link summarization, making conversations faster and more efficient for users worldwide.

Rakuten Viber has announced the launch of a new AI Link Summary feature that will leverage Artificial Intelligence. Specifically, this is a tool expected to make conversations more efficient and faster. This feature will automatically create a brief summary for every non-private link shared in conversations, allowing users to instantly understand the key points of an article or webpage without having to leave the chat.

It’s noteworthy that Viber is the first messaging platform to bring AI link summarization capabilities to market.

With AI Link Summary, as soon as someone sends a link, you see a short and understandable summary directly within Viber – whether it’s a lengthy article, blog post, or report. The feature includes automatic translation: if, for example, your app language is set to Greek and someone sends you an English link, the summary will appear in Greek.

en.parapolitika.gr/business/98165/...ically-summarizes-links/

Mein  Kursziel für 2026 liegt bei 2000 Yen und höher

15 Analysten haben ein Rakuten Kursziel 2026 abgegeben. Das durchschnittliche Rakuten Kursziel beträgt 1.122,00 ¥. Eine Einstufung wurde von 18 Analysten vorgenommen: 12 Analysten empfehlen Rakuten zum Kauf, 6 zum Halten und 0 zum Verkauf.

aktien.guide/kursziel/Rakuten-JP3967200001

Rakuten zeigt im Dezember 2025 eine positive Entwicklung bei Cashflow-Kennzahlen, getrieben durch die Erholung im FinTech-Bereich und Wachstum bei Rakuten Mobile, mit Analysten, die eine Unterbewertung sehen und starkem operativen Cashflow (TTM Ende Sep. 2025: 1,655 Mrd. €) sowie positivem bereinigtem Ergebnis in Q3 2025 (Non-GAAP Betriebsergebnis +78,8 % YoY) melden; die Free Cash Flow-Zahlen sind volatil, aber das Unternehmen scheint sich auf einem Weg der Verbesserung zu befinden, auch wenn die Free Cash Flow-Zahlen für das Jahr 2025 noch ausstehen.

Wichtige Punkte zum Cashflow im Dezember 2025:
Positives Momentum: Nach Quartalen mit negativen Ergebnissen deutet vieles auf eine Erholung hin, gestützt durch das FinTech-Segment und Rakuten Mobile.

Operativer Cashflow (TTM Sep. 2025): Der operative Cashflow (OCF) betrug 1,655 Mrd. € (Stand: 18. Dez. 2025), was zu einem EV-to-OCF-Verhältnis von etwa 8,3 führt.

Q3 2025 Ergebnisse: Rakuten Payment verzeichnete ein Non-GAAP-Betriebsergebnis von 2,6 Mrd. Yen, eine Steigerung von 78,8 % gegenüber dem Vorjahr, und der Gesamtumsatz der Segmente erreichte einen neuen Q3-Rekord.

Bewertung: Discounted Cash Flow (DCF)-Analysen weisen auf eine potenzielle Unterbewertung der Rakuten Group hin.

Herausforderungen: Trotz der Verbesserungen ist der Free Cash Flow der letzten Jahre volatil, aber das aktuelle Trend zeigt nach oben. Rakuten Mobile ist auf dem Weg zur Profitabilität, was den Gesamtkonzern stärkt.

Zusammenfassend lässt sich sagen: Rakuten befindet sich in einer Phase der finanziellen Erholung, mit starkem Wachstum in Schlüsselbereichen, was sich in positiveren Cashflow-Metriken im Jahresverlauf 2025 niederschlägt, obwohl der Free Cash Flow noch Schwankungen aufweist.

www.google.com/...wkxLjExLjE3LjnIB8wBgAgA&sclient=gws-wiz

global.rakuten.com/corp/careers/graduates/...ay-terminal.html

Mickey Mikitani, Chairman and CEO of Rakuten Group: “Rakuten Mobile has reached a significant milestone by surpassing 10 million subscribers. We sincerely appreciate the support of each and every one of our customers and the cooperation of all our partners, who made this success possible. Since entering the mobile carrier business with the goal of democratizing the mobile market, we have relentlessly pursued disruptive innovation. Today’s achievement is a new starting line, we remain committed to delivering even more enjoyable and convenient services that enrich our customers' lives.”

www.thefastmode.com/...aches-10-million-subscribers-milestone

As of December 2025, Rakuten Bank has a market capitalization of €7.28 billion (= $ 8.56 billion), ranking it as the 2180th most valuable company in the world. The bank reported a profit of 16.8 billion yen for the first quarter of 2025, reflecting a 54.1% increase from the previous year. Additionally, the bank expects a profit of 64.3 billion yen (= $ 0.41 billion) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026.

www.bing.com/...;FORM=ANAB01&adppc=EDGEDSP&PC=EDGEDSP

AT&T, Inc. T is collaborating with AST Spacemobile

T Expands Into Satellite Connectivity Space: Will it Boost Prospects?

AT&T, Inc. T is collaborating with AST Spacemobile to expand into the emerging satellite connectivity space. Despite rapid deployments of 5G and fiber networks nationwide, a large area of the United States has remained outside of the network coverage area. Remote and rural locations, which are sparsely populated, are often deemed unviable for network deployment by major telecom companies. Moreover, geographically challenging terrain makes it difficult to set up ground network infrastructure. By leveraging ASTS Satcom capabilities, T aims address these limitations of terrestrial network infrastructure.

T Expands Into Satellite Connectivity Space: Will it Boost Prospects?

The global open RAN market size was valued at USD 5.75 billion in 2025. The market is projected to grow from USD 7.24 billion in 2026 to USD 45.87 billion by 2034, exhibiting a CAGR of 25.95% during the forecast period.

The global open RAN market grows quickly because many customers want flexible networks and they want to work with multiple suppliers. Open RAN changes how mobile networks operate by breaking away from supplier-exclusive equipment in favour of stand-alone network solutions. Open RAN splits the normal RAN network into open standards-based units (RU, DU, CU) with easy interface integration between different hardware and software providers.

The progress of 5G networks and 5G Advanced development pushes telecommunication providers to adopt Open RAN technology because it matches their requirements for a flexible network design.

Source: www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/open-ran-market-112214

Japan's Edge Cloud Opportunity

December 12, 2025

At Rakuten AI Optimism 2025, Rakuten largest annual event held at PACIFICO Yokohama, Anirban Chakravartti, SVP, Enterprise Cloud Sales, Cloud BU, Rakuten Symphony shares his thoughts on our partnership with Google Cloud and how it can help empower Japanese customers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcGmqUCYs2o

Intent.ly is a shopper journey optimisation platform and technology partner, empowering online retailers to engage and convert shoppers. Their solutions typically target 2-10% of a retailer’s unconverting traffic. Intent.ly recently launched a new solution – In-Page engagement strategies. This solution sits directly within the page on a retailer’s website, delivering non-intrusive campaigns, tailored to brand goals.

Threadicated are leading Australian personal stylists for online clothing, curating a high-converting shopping experience tailored to each customer’s style, shape, and budget. Their no-code MVP requires zero tech lift – just add a SKU and they handle the rest. With expert stylists on standby, shoppers get the personalised support they need to feel confident, driving loyalty, conversion, and full-price sell-through. Featured on the Threadicated site and styled by their experts, products become part of complete looks, making shopping effortless and increasing purchase intent.

SparrowMart is one of Korea’s newest cashback players, bringing fresh energy into the local loyalty space. With over 100K app downloads and an easy-to-use web platform, SparrowMart enables consumers to earn rewards across categories from fashion and beauty to electronics and daily necessities. For brands, this performance-driven model unlocks incremental conversions while connecting with an audience actively seeking value in their everyday shopping. Launching end of October, SparrowMart is poised to become a strong partner for both retail and travel advertisers looking to reach engaged Korean consumers

Dianomi is a native advertising platform dedicated to providing lifestyle ad inventory across 320+ premium business, finance and lifestyle sites, including being an approved sales agent for specific Apple News publishers. Delivering contextually relevant content to reach affluent audiences where they are most engaged, Dianomi serves 8B+ ad impressions each month across owned and operated inventory.

Backed by retail giant Lotte Group, L.POINT Korea is one of the country’s largest loyalty ecosystems with over 4M monthly active users. Recently reactivated on the Rakuten Advertising network, L.POINT provides brands with a unique opportunity to tap into a massive, engaged membership base. By combining loyalty rewards with everyday retail and travel benefits, L.POINT helps advertisers drive repeat purchases and build long-term relationships with Korean consumers.

Founded in 2005, TopCashback has been helping consumers maximise their savings on everyday spending globally by passing on 100% of the commission back to members as cashback. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, TopCashback is a market leader in cashback, with a growing presence of 24 million members across international markets.

Halincoupon is a dedicated coupon platform partnering with more than 170 retailers across Korea. The site provides users with easy access to discount coupons, helping drive both engagement and conversions. For advertisers, Halincoupon’s performance-based model ensures strong visibility among cost-conscious shoppers, with additional promotional opportunities available to brands that achieve high click and conversion rates. Its focused coupon offering makes Halincoupon a valuable partner across retail, ecommerce, and travel categories.

StylMatch is redefining influencer marketing in Korea by empowering micro-influencers to launch their own online storefronts. Through StylMatch, creators can promote products across thousands of brands, driving measurable sales while maintaining authenticity with their audiences. For advertisers, this model provides an agile way to activate influencer campaigns at scale, combining creator-driven engagement with clear ROI tracking. With growing momentum in Korea, StylMatch is quickly establishing itself as a must-watch partner for brands seeking fresh ways to connect with consumers.

blog.rakutenadvertising.com/en-au/news/...r-spotlight-2025-2/

What’s New on Viber

By Eden Ezion
December 2, 2025

www.viber.com/en/blog/2025-12-02/whats-new-on-viber/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92NrwiO6RQA

Rakuten Cloud: AI-Ready Cloud You Can Count On

October 24, 2025

Rakuten Cloud is a cloud-native Kubernetes platform for real-time, network-intensive applications, empowering global enterprises and service providers to manage their most complex and distributed workloads.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hSRdk_EA_U